From Portugal: Chelsea one of few clubs player would agree to join

Chelsea have been credited in Portugal with holding an important advantage if they decide to make a move for Diogo Costa, with pundits arguing there are only a handful of clubs capable of persuading the Porto goalkeeper to leave.

The Portugal international’s future was one of the main topics on Mercado NOWwhere José Nunes, Pedro Sousa and Gonçalo Monteiro analyzed the lack of concrete offers despite another outstanding campaign.

“Everyone must be blind”

One of the first questions put to the panel was whether it was surprising that Porto president André Villas-Boas says there have been no proposals or approaches for Diogo Costa.

José Nunes had little doubt.

“It is strange. Last year it was already strange,” he said. “I’ve often used the expression that everyone must be blind. If Diogo Costa stays at Porto, he’ll be their best signing this season. Diogo Costa is Porto’s best player. He was the best player in the Portuguese league in the 2025/26 season.”

He also insisted Porto are right to demand a fee close to the €60m (£51m) release clausearguing the goalkeeper is worth that figure despite goalkeepers often being undervalued in the transfer market.

Chelsea named among elite destinations

Pedro Sousa believes the bigger obstacle is not Porto, but finding a club that genuinely appeals to the player. According to him, Diogo Costa has never been viewed as someone desperate for a move abroad.

“He is someone who is very attached to the city and to the club and doesn’t have much of an adventurous spirit.”

That is why he believes Costa would reject many opportunities, even if they offered significantly higher wages.

“Diogo Costa would not leave Porto for Nottingham Forest, for example. Diogo Costa would leave Porto for Chelsea, Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid… Or Paris Saint-Germain, Milan, Inter, you know?”

Sousa argued the goalkeeper wants to combine financial security with competing at the very highest level, something only a select group of clubs can currently offer.

Money isn’t the deciding factor

Gonçalo Monteiro echoed that view, but stressed that Chelsea’s approach is just an speculation for now.

“There isn’t a concrete proposal,” he said, before explaining that an English club could still move later in the window.

He believes Costa’s decision will depend far more on the stature of the club. Not just the size of the salary on offer.

“It isn’t money that will make the difference. Porto have the money. It has more to do with the club’s honours.”

Monteiro concluded that Porto currently have every reason to feel comfortable because it will take a genuine European heavyweight to tempt both club and player into doing business.

This latest discussion in Portugal therefore reinforces Chelsea’s position. The Blues have been linked with Diogo Costa in recent weeks, and those closest to the Portuguese game believe they belong to the small group of clubs capable of convincing the goalkeeper that leaving Porto would be the right next step.